MARS: CURIOSITY u krateru GALE

Očigledno  se ide  na "crni pijesak". Ako zbitost bude solidna moguće je da će, zbog izbjegavanja novih oštećenja kotača,  nastavak vožnje biti rubom pijeska...

Sols 1167-1168: Onward to the Bagnold Dunes

18 November 2015

The Bagnold Dunes are tantalizingly close, and this week is mostly focused on driving to the dunes.  On Sol 1167 Curiosity drove 39 m, and the dunes are starting to look pretty big, as seen in the above Navcam image.  For more on our plans when we get to the dunes, check out this recent press release.
The plan today looks very similar to yesterday, with a pre-drive science block, a drive, and post-drive imaging.  Science activities include Mastcam and ChemCam observations of the local bedrock at a target named “Etosha,” as well as Mastcam deck monitoring to look for fine sand that might accumulate as we approach the active dunes.  After the drive we’ll acquire standard imaging to prepare for future targeting and terrain assessment.  We’re also planning a SAM atmospheric observation to look for methane, exactly one Mars year after the previous high detections.  Meanwhile, here on Earth, the ChemCam team is meeting at the USGS in Flagstaff, which means that Ken, Ryan and I will only be able to blog intermittently this week.  But I’m looking forward to being back on GSTL duty next week… especially with the exciting dune campaign coming up!
By Lauren Edgar
--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2015-351&rn=news.xml&rst=4772

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=pia19930

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2015-351&rn=news.xml&rst=4772

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/11161103-curiosity-update-sols-1109-1165.html

 

Stereo...za ovo gledati su potrebna ona smiješna očala. (crveno-plava)

Kompozit od Damia Bouic...Vrhunsko kao i obično. 

http://www.db-prods.net/marsroversimages/Curiosity/2015/Sol1168_pano.jpg

Sol 1173: Dune monitoring

23 November 2015

Over the weekend, Curiosity drove 51 m closer to the Bagnold Dunes.  I’m on duty as the Geology Science Theme Lead, and today we’re planning Sol 1173, which includes a short science block, a drive, post-drive imaging, and some untargeted science in the afternoon.  The main focus of today’s plan is to monitor the dunes and document the bedrock along the way.  We’ll start with several Mastcam observations to monitor two of the dunes, as well as a small sandsheet directly in front of us.  Then we’ll drive and acquire post-drive imaging to prepare for targeting tomorrow.  In the afternoon, we’ll take several Navcam observations to monitor the atmosphere and search for dust devils.  Then we’ll take some additional Mastcam mosaics to monitor the dunes and bedrock under different lighting conditions.  This late afternoon lighting can be very useful to bring out subtle textures in the dunes and rocks, and will help us figure out the best time of day to image these features during the Bagnold Dune campaign.
By Lauren Edgar
--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team.